Word: Electrical Outlet
Definition: An electrical outlet is a device that is installed in walls or floors of a building. It provides a place where you can plug in electrical devices to get power. This is where you can connect things like lamps, chargers, or appliances to make them work.
Usage Instructions: When you want to use an electrical device, you need to find an electrical outlet. You simply take the plug of your device (like a phone charger) and insert it into the outlet. Make sure the outlet is working by checking if there’s power, which you can usually tell by whether the device turns on.
Example: "I need to find an electrical outlet to charge my phone."
Advanced Usage: In a more technical context, you might hear terms like "grounded outlet" or "GFCI outlet." A grounded outlet has a third hole for safety, preventing electrical shocks, while a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is designed to protect against electrical hazards in wet areas, like bathrooms or kitchens.
Word Variants: - Outlet (noun) - often used on its own to refer to electrical outlets. - Plug (noun) - the end of a cord that goes into the outlet. - Socket (noun) - sometimes used interchangeably with outlet, especially in British English.
Different Meanings: - The term "outlet" can also refer to a place where products are sold directly to consumers, like an "outlet store," which is different from the electrical meaning.
Synonyms: - Socket (in some contexts) - Receptacle - Power point (common in British English)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly use "electrical outlet," you might hear phrases like "plug in" which means to connect something to an outlet. For example: - "Can you plug in the lamp?" means to connect the lamp to the electrical outlet.
Summary: An electrical outlet is essential for using most electrical devices at home or work.